I actually view this as a good thing - means the competition is more fierce which should benefit everyone.

Definitely agree with you there, but on the downside BMW hasn't been able to improve at the same rate as the competition to maintain that same gap. Harder to improve when you're the benchmark I suppose...

Not only does he really not like the S55, but he prefers the C63 steering. Also was a fan of the C63 chassis.

Great points! I have never seen a comparo with a E92 vs a C63, and the tester walk away with liking the chassis and steering so much on the C63 lol.. Comapred to the C63, the M4 sounds like a prius.. really horrible.

///M5 LCI
"It's like the F10 is the 911 Turbo to the E60's GT3" -Pistonheads (M5 feature)

I test drove a C63 and an E92 M3 back to back 2 years ago. The C63 felt SO much faster. The M3 did handle much better but felt gutless. I was driving my 335i around at that time so it was much faster than both cars I test drove but...... MB is certainly on a roll with the C63. It's one of my favorite cars.

Autocar 2015 F82 M4 vs W204 C63 AMG 507 comparison

Mercedes fans will be quick to point out that the W205 generation C63 AMG is coming and the brand new F82 M4 is being compared to a car about to be replaced. They are right but considering that the new C63 AMG is not out the C63 AMG 507 is the best choice available from AMG for this comparison. The 507 denoting that the car has 507 horsepower exceeding that of the optional P31 performance package which is rated at 481.

Essentially, short of the more expensive C63 Black Series this is the highest performance C63 one can buy. On paper, the C63 has the power advantage over the M4's 425 horses and the torque advantage at 450 lb-ft to the M4's 406 lb-ft. The C63 is heavier by about 427 pounds which is significant. This M4 features a dual clutch transmission while the C63 is an MCT 7-speed auto (not a dual clutch as Autocar states).

The M4 feels lighter on its feet which is no surprise. It is much lighter. The C63 is said to feel old fashioned. The differences in the motors of course highlights this the most. One is the result of ecological pressure and cutting costs and the other is just raw V8 muscle. Which do you prefer? The reviewer states the C63 engine feels like it is from another era but has GM not proved ecological technology can be blended successfully with a large V8? The statements about being from another era are not fair as if GM can build a 6.2 liter V8 passing today's emissions standards Mercedes certainly can as well.

Now as far as this being a comparison test, it isn't. It's a subject comparison. Where are the numbers? Where is the race between the two? Where are the laptimes? We get some quoted 0-60 figures but considering how much 0-60 varies based on available traction this is essentially worthless. This is not a comparison test, this is the reviewer sitting there and telling us a story.

Autocar, give us numbers. Give us a real test. Calling this a head to head comparison insults our intelligence. This is a preview of a test if anything.

The 'review' concludes with the C63 being the car the reviewer would choose between the two. His reasoning as to why is sound. It offers that extra response and raw element that the new M3/M4 simply can not match. No amount of improvement in the M3's emissions will change that.